E3 2011: Microsoft Edition

[Spider-Vader]

I'm hoping that Microsoft announces some new core IPs or at the very least that they'll be purchasing Remedy &/or Epic.

It'd be very stupid for MS not to buy Epic, since they could easily take a Gears game after 3 to the PS3 like Bioware did with Mass Effect.

& MS definitely needs some new IPs to compete with the great exclusives PS3 has. I'm not sure if Halo, Gears, Forza & Fable can support the Xbox brand for another gen, we need some more titles. Alan Wake looks like it could be a potential franchise, as the first was a great game & recently broke 1 million sales. But Xbox could use a platforming exclusive similar to Ratchet & Clank. *looks at Psychonauts*

 

[hippie_hunter]

Considering that Microsoft made no attempt to buy Bioware when they had the opportunity, let Bungie become independent, and closed studios like Ensemble Studios, I just don't see Microsoft having no desire to own Epic Games. They seem content with just keeping Lionhead Studios, 343 Industries, and Turn 10 Studios as their only core studios. And if you take a look at most of the studios they acquired or established in recent years (BigPark, Good Science Studio, MGS Family, MGS Vancouver, MGS Soho, MGS Mobile Gaming, Xbox Live Productions) they're all dedicated to casual games for Kinect, Windows Phones, etc. They even turned Rare into a studio dedicated for Kinect.

And you also have to take into account that Epic Games would just be too expensive for Microsoft. Epic's value doesn't come from it's games and developers, it comes from the Unreal Engine. The Unreal Engine is what makes Epic a powerful force in the industry, the same way that Steam makes Valve a powerful force in the industry.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

The way Microsoft works goes something like this, first parties are dedicated to Kinect, the rest comes from third parties.
It´s a really moronic way to do things.

I agree that, as they created Kinect, they need to support it, so, put 40% of the company into it, you don´t put 100%, that´s stupid, that´s to piss off your fanbase, the ones that made the Xbox brand what it is.
I know that Microsoft want people to buy Kinect, but to make it almost an obligation IF you want to have exclusives....

That is pure money over quality, to throw so many Kinect games that people will buy it if they want something exclusive on their console.
The sad part, people actually buy into it, and because they do, their modus operandi will never change.

As for studios...the last one they bought was Lionhead back in 2006......all the rest were closed or let go, they don´t care enough to buy studios, they don´t care enough to have a strong and solid first party.

 

[hippie_hunter]

The way Microsoft works goes something like this, first parties are dedicated to Kinect, the rest comes from third parties.
It´s a really moronic way to do things.

I agree that, as they created Kinect, they need to support it, so, put 40% of the company into it, you don´t put 100%, that´s stupid, that´s to piss off your fanbase, the ones that made the Xbox brand what it is.
I know that Microsoft want people to buy Kinect, but to make it almost an obligation IF you want to have exclusives....

That is pure money over quality, to throw so many Kinect games that people will buy it if they want something exclusive on their console.
The sad part, people actually buy into it, and because they do, their modus operandi will never change.

As for studios...the last one they bought was Lionhead back in 2006......all the rest were closed or let go, they don´t care enough to buy studios, they don´t care enough to have a strong and solid first party.

Microsoft has actually bought and formed several studios after 2006. They bought BigPark and Good Science Studio in 2009, the developers of Kinect Joy Ride and Kinect Adventures, and they've established several studios as well with 3 studios just this year to focus on Kinect titles. Yeah, you can see the direction they are going in. The only core studio they formed was back in 2007 with 341 Industries to fill in for Bungie on Halo.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Microsoft has actually bought and formed several studios after 2006. They bought BigPark and Good Science Studio in 2009, the developers of Kinect Joy Ride and Kinect Adventures, and they've established several studios as well with 3 studios just this year to focus on Kinect titles. Yeah, you can see the direction they are going in. The only core studio they formed was back in 2007 with 341 Industries to fill in for Bungie on Halo.

Yeah, i forgot BigPark.
All the rest are internal studios, not buyouts

 

[hippie_hunter]

You don't need to buy studios to have good talent. Polyphony Digital and SCE Santa Monica were created internally by Sony and of course you have Nintendo EAD which produces the best first party games out there.

 

[Galactus123]

I hope that they show real gameplay of Metal Gear Solid Rising and a release date. And I want sequel to Alan Wake of course.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

You don't need to buy studios to have good talent. Polyphony Digital and SCE Santa Monica were created internally by Sony and of course you have Nintendo EAD which produces the best first party games out there.

Don´t get me wrong, i defend that publishers should create their own internal studios, so, in that regard, i give two thumbs up to Microsoft.
The point, you ALSO need to buy recognizable talent and already stablished names, be it big developers (Epic) or smaller ones (Twisted Pixel Games).
It´s not like Microsoft doesn´t have the money, so, that leaves indifference.

On other news...

Youtube might be coming to the 360 afterall

According to a job listing on LinkedIn, it seems that Youtube and Google are working on bringing the YouTube web experience to home consoles. The job listing hints at the YouTube application will not only be bringing the “TV expereicnce with You Tube video content” but also will be bringing advertisements with it, similar to what you get on YouTube.com from approved partners.

The position is calling for someone who is experienced with the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, so we can probably expect an app being launched on all three consoles.

What do you think? Obviously this is legit and was bound to happen, but when do you think it will be released to our consoles and could we expect an announcement at E3?

http://angryfacing.com/2011/05/youtube-coming-to-xbox-360-ps3-and-wii-advertisements-included/

http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJo...bs_seeking_view_job&goback=.vjn_1560171_false

It´s weird, as Google and Microsoft don´t see eye to eye, but money talks...

But this just shows what i was talking about before, Microsoft´s main focus outside Kinect is media releated

 

[hippie_hunter]

Don´t get me wrong, i defend that publishers should create their own internal studios, so, in that regard, i give two thumbs up to Microsoft.
The point, you ALSO need to buy recognizable talent and already stablished names, be it big developers (Epic) or smaller ones (Twisted Pixel Games).
It´s not like Microsoft doesn´t have the money, so, that leaves indifference.

Microsoft has other things to deal with than just the video game industry. They are really trying to find their place in the new world of computing. Hence their attempt to purchase Yahoo and building Bing so they can establish a foothold in the search engine field, acquiring aQuantive for online advertising, acquiring Skype for communications, and I really won't be surprised to see them acquire Facebook, Nokia, or Research in Motion in the near future, which will cost BILLIONS!

On other news...

Youtube might be coming to the 360 afterall



http://angryfacing.com/2011/05/youtube-coming-to-xbox-360-ps3-and-wii-advertisements-included/

http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJo...bs_seeking_view_job&goback=.vjn_1560171_false

It´s weird, as Google and Microsoft don´t see eye to eye, but money talks...

But this just shows what i was talking about before, Microsoft´s main focus outside Kinect is media releated

I don't see YouTube on the 360 at all. Microsoft and Google don't just see eye to eye, they just flat out hate each other and if Microsoft wanted YouTube on the 360, they would have already done it. Microsoft is just way too controlling with Xbox Live and they are showing no signs of letting up.

 

[Soapy]

Bonus Round - E3 2011: Microsoft Edition

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Microsoft has other things to deal with than just the video game industry. They are really trying to find their place in the new world of computing. Hence their attempt to purchase Yahoo and building Bing so they can establish a foothold in the search engine field, acquiring aQuantive for online advertising, acquiring Skype for communications, and I really won't be surprised to see them acquire Facebook, Nokia, or Research in Motion in the near future, which will cost BILLIONS!

That´s not really a good excuse.
Sure, Microsoft has more on their mind that just the video game industry, but they do have a console, they need to support it.
Bottom line, and i´ve said this a couple of times...Microsoft Game Studios is an awful publisher.
Microsoft was a great company back in the 90´s, they are a bad one in this day and age, basicaly they are playing catch up to Apple.
When you create an amazing product called Microsoft Surface, didn´t do anything with it, and allow Apple to release the Ipad (which is basicaly a smaller Surface).....it´s game over, they lost their mojo a long time ago.
In fact, Microsoft still has it´s name because of Windows and Office, if tomorrow someone cames out with an OS capable of going toe to toe with Windows, MS is in deep s**t.

Bonus Round - E3 2011: Microsoft Edition

I particulary like the ending where none of the three guys have anything to say about MS and still having time to do so.

And like i said, it will all be about media and Kinect.

 

[jacobed]

They don't need anything, they have Gears of War 3 and that will be the best game of the year.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

They don't need anything, they have Gears of War 3 and that will be the best game of the year.

I´m a big fan of Gears and i can´t wait for Gears 3, but what you wrote just made no sense...unless you are joking, in that case

But, talking about Gears....treasure it, it can very well be the last core exclusive game on the 360.

 

[jacobed]

Codename Kingdoms says you are wrong

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

Codename Kingdoms says you are wrong

If the rumors are correct, Codename Kingdoms is a Kinect game

Scratch the core game, what i wanted to say is Gears might be the last exclusive non-Kinect game on the 360

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Good. The less exclusives the better. Hopefully Microsoft loses all exclusives and are forced to shut down their entire gaming division making there one less console to worry about in the next generation.

 

[hippie_hunter]

That´s not really a good excuse.

Yes it is. The Xbox is just a very small part of Microsoft's grand schemes for the future and those billions of dollars in cash that they are sitting on would be wasted on buying new studios.

Microsoft's next major acquisition is going to make them spend billions of dollars more.

Sure, Microsoft has more on their mind that just the video game industry, but they do have a console, they need to support it.
Bottom line, and i´ve said this a couple of times...Microsoft Game Studios is an awful publisher.

You're right, Microsoft sure has made some blunders such as not acquiring BioWare and letting Bungie go, but you have to take a look at Microsoft being a much bigger company than a video game one.

Microsoft was a great company back in the 90´s, they are a bad one in this day and age, basicaly they are playing catch up to Apple.
When you create an amazing product called Microsoft Surface, didn´t do anything with it, and allow Apple to release the Ipad (which is basicaly a smaller Surface).....it´s game over, they lost their mojo a long time ago.

Microsoft is learning from its previous blunders. Microsoft's success with Bing proves that. If I were Microsoft, I would focus less on the video game aspects and focus more on the Internet and acquiring companies like Facebook, Symantec, and Nokia and revolutionize the Windows Phone platform. Make it the middle ground between the draconian iPhone and the far too free Android platform.

In fact, Microsoft still has it´s name because of Windows and Office, if tomorrow someone cames out with an OS capable of going toe to toe with Windows, MS is in deep s**t.

Not gonna happen. There have been plenty of OSes capable of going toe to toe with Windows but because of Microsoft's deals with Dell, HP, Acer, etc. and complete lack of consumer awareness, Windows will forever be the dominant OS of PCs. And Office will always be dominant because it consistently comes out with a high quality product to the point where the business world uses Office as their standard.

I particulary like the ending where none of the three guys have anything to say about MS and still having time to do so.

And like i said, it will all be about media and Kinect.

Because it's true.

 

[Soapy]

Let's all pretend to be surprised that the rumors of the Halo remake are apparently true according to Joystiq and GameInformer.

 

[Benstamania]

Hopefully with it's own niffty online modes!

Spoiler

It will be a Reach Multiplayer disk...

 

[Galactus123]

I want Mafia III.

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I want Mafia III.

As this is the Microsoft E3 thread, that means you want Mafia III to be an exclusive?
Not going to happen

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

It seems that Eurogamer just announced some of the games that will be shown, and it´s all Kinect.
They say there will 10 non-sequel Kinect games and the already expected sequels:

- Rare will announce Kinect Sports 2, but they have another Kinect game under wraps
- Dance Central 2
- Forza World, an open world game in the likes of Burnout Paradise and Test Drive unleased, developed not by Turn 10 but the UK developer Playground Games.
- Forza 4
- Halo remake, developed by Saber Interactive
- Kinect Star Wars
- Crytek's Codename: Kingdoms, a first-person melee game for Kinect, is also set for a full E3 reveal

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-13-kinect-ms-to-serve-hardcore-at-e3

IMO, in one word, pathetic....really pathetic.
Not only is 90% Kinect, all the one that are not are Halo and Forza.

Halo, Forza and Fable...that´s it, that´s the only thing MS has.

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

The only thign Kinect related that I'm even excited about is Star Wars. I don't even own Kinetc, so it doesn't really matter. I'm one of those people that believe a controller is what is needed for a video game and nothing else.

 

[Donut]

Lame that the Halo remake is for Kinect. Disappointing

 

[hippie_hunter]

That list sounds really horrible.